Pile driving apparatus



March 2, 1965 H. G. WARRINGTON 3,171,552

PILE DRIVING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

W Y W March 2, 1965 H. G. WARRINGTON FILE DRIVING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1962 INVENTOR.

Mardl 2, 1965 H. G. WARRINGTON 3,171,552

FILE DRIVING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BY M,%Mm M4 United States Patent 3,171,552 FILE DRIVING APPARATUS Henry G. Warrington, Lookout Mountain, Tenn., assignor to Vulcan Iron Works Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,343 1 Claim. (Cl. 214-95) The present invention relates to pile driving apparatus, and, more particularly, to a servo pneumatic hook block for connecting the hoisting rope of a crane or other hoisting device to a pile driving hammer.

Existing pile driving hammers for transmitting pile driving blows to a pile are conventionally lifted or hoisted to the top of a pile and guided in their downward movement through guide tracks in the hammer cooperating with leaders for vertical movement on the top of the pile. In this manner the pile driving hammer can ride down as the pile is driven into the ground and the hoisting rope may be slackened so that the entire weight of the pile driving hammer is applied to the pile. It is conventional in pile driving hammers to provide sheaves in the upper end or cylinder block of the hammer for the purpose of hoisting the hammer upwardly in the leaders and also for lowering the hammer downwardly in the leaders.

Heretofore, ditficulty has sometimes arisen in allowing the hammer to ride freely in the leaders during the driving of the pile. Moreover, since the hoisting rope is always threaded through the sheaves of the hammer, dimculty may be experienced in raising and lowering the hammer, in removing the hammer from the hoisting rope, and the like. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a means for quickly and simply disconnecting the hoisting rope from the pile driving hammer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pile driving apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hook block for use with a pile driving hammer which will provide for selective engagement and separation or release of the hoisting rope from the pile driving hammer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved means for connecting a hoisting rope with a pile driving hammer.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claim annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In accordance with these and other objects, there is provided improved means for connecting a pile driving hammer to a hoisting rope. The invention is particularly adapted for use with a hammer of the type guided for vertical movement by one or more leaders.

According to the present invention, there is provided a hook block including a frame and having a pivotally mounted hook on the frame for hooking engagement with the hammer. Sheave means are carried by the frame for connection to the hoisting rope. The hook block additionally includes means operatively connected to the hook for selectively pivoting the hook into and out of a hammer engaging position. The sheaves conventionally included in the cylinder head of a pile driving hammer are replaced in the hammer by a lifting pin or eye pin. The hook is adapted in its hammer engaging position to engage the lifting pin or eye bolt. In a preferred embodiment the hook operating means includes a fluid cylinder connected to the hook and arranged to pivot the hook into and out of its hammer engaging position. The fluid cylinder is operated by a source of pressurized fluid which conveniently may consist of a tank of nitrogen gas under pres- 3,171,552 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 sure. A solenoid controlled distributing valve controls the operation of the cylinder. The solenoid may be remotely controlled electrically by a push button at a station at the crane operators position.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an improved hook block according to the present invention and fragmentarily illustrating a pile driving hammer connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the improved hook block according to the present invention and illustrated in guided relation with a pair of leaders;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the hook block of FIG. 2, illustrated between the pair of leaders; and

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic illustration of the control system of the hook block of FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a pile driving apparatus including a pile driving hammer fragmentarily illustrated at 10 supported from a hoisting rope 11 of a crane (not shown) or other hoisting or lifting device through an improved hook block 12 accord ing to the present invention. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hook block 12 is provided with a guide track 13 on opposed sides thereof which guide the book block 12 between a pair of vertical leaders or tracks 14 for vertical movement. It is understood, as is conventional with pile driving apparatus, that the hammer 10 is provided with similar guide tracks (not shown) which guide the hammer 10 for vertical movement between the leaders 14.

As has heretofore been described, the pile driving hammer 10 may have conventional pile driving means, and, more specifically, may be of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,004,180, issued June 11, 1935. However, the conventional pile driving hammer 10 for use with the improved hook block 12 according to the present invention is modified from the conventional to provide lifting hook means such as the lifting pin 16 at its upper end, here shown as extending from the cylinder head of an otherwise conventional hammer 10. It is, of course, understood that other suitable lifting or hoisting means such as an eye bolt may be provided at the top of the hammer 10.

The hook block 12 according to the present invention includes a hook block board or frame 17 which carries the pertinent parts including the guide track 13 and which rides upwardly and downwardly in the leaders 14. A sheave 18, here shown as a single pulley sheave, is rotatably supported from a sheave pin 19 from the upper end of the frame 17. To provide for interconnecting the hook block 12 and the hammer 10, the hook block 12 is provided with a hook 22 pivotally mounted from the frame 17 on a hook pin 23. The hook 22 is swingable from a first position, illustrated in solid in FIG. 1, wherein it engages the hammer 10 through the lifting pin 16 thereof, to a second position, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1, wherein it is separated from engagement with the hammer 10 and the hammer 10 is released from the hook block and hoisting rope 11.

For actuating the hook 12 between its engaged and its released position, there is provided a fluid cylinder assembly 24 operatively connected to the hook for selectively pivoting the hook into and out of hammer engaging positions. More specifically, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the hook 22 is provided with a dog portion 22a eccentrically located relative to the pivotal axis of the hook 22. As illustrated, the fluid cylinder assembly 24 is of the double acting type and includes a pistion 25 reciprocally movable within a cylinder 26. The outer end pivotally connected to the dog portion 22a of the hook 22 through a pivot pin 28. :Movement of the piston 25' in the cylinder 26 is, of course, effectiveto pivot the hook 22. o prevent improper alignment or bindingof the piston 25 and connecting rod 27 throughoutthelength of its stroke, the cylinder assembly 24 is connected to the frame 17 thnough an oscillatory pivot connection 29, FIG. 1, to permit rocking of the cylinder assembly 24.

Movement of the piston 25 inthe cylinder'26 is controlled by a solenoid distributing valve 32, best illustrated in FIG. 4, and including a. valve body 33 and a valve element 34. An electrical solenoid 35 provided with an 1 4 on top of the pile and to follow the pile down. The hook 1 block 12 maybe moved clear of the driving hammer 10.

armature 36 is connected-to the valve element 34 to move the valve element 34 in a first direction upon energization of the solenoid 35. A compression spring 37 in the valve 32 is adapted to return the valve element 34 when the solenoid 35 is deenergized,

A suitable source of pressurized fluid is provided for actuating the cylinder assembly 24 As herein illustrated,

the fluid includes a tank 38 of compressed nitrogen gas connected to the cylinder assembly 24 through the valve 52 by means of conduits 39,- 40 and 41. .If'desired, apressure regulator valve 42 maybe used to control the pressure from the fluid tank 38.

To provide the control for the the solenoid distributing valve '32 is provided with a plural- Once the hammer 10 reaches the bottom of its tr-avel, the hook block 12 may be lowered by means of the hoisting rope. 11 to a position immediatelygabove the hammer 10, and the hook 22 may again be rotated to its released position illustrated in'phantom in FIG. 1 until it clears the lifting pin 16. ITli'e solenoid 35 may then be deenergized and the hook 22will be rotated clockwise into locking engagement with the ifting pin 16 thereby to engage the hammer l9. 7

Although the present invention has been described by reference to only a single embodiment thereof, itwill be apparent that numerous other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art, for example, a single acting cylinder may be employed and the hook 22 may be spring-biased to one of its positions. Moreover, the lower forward edge of the hook 22 may form a camming surface which would be effective to cause the hook 22 to slide over the lifting pin 16 as the hook block 12 is lowered downwardly into engagement with the hammer 10. Accordingly, it is intended in the appended claim to cover all modifications and embodiments which cylinder assembly 24,

ity of ports and passageways which selectively connect M conduit 39 with conduits 40 or 41. Specifically, the valve 4 body 33 is provided with :two sets of aligned portsQFIG. 4, indicated 'by'33a and 33b, and 33c and 33d. The valve port 33a is a fluid inlet port and is connected through the pressure regulator 42 and conduit '39 to the source of pressurized fiuidin the fluid tank-38; the port 33c is an exhaust port exhausting to atmosphere; the ports 33]) and 33d are connected to opposite sides of the cylinder 26 through conduits and 41 respectively. Additionally, the valve element -34 is provided with two pairs of fluid passageways 2 34a and 34b, and 34cfand 34d which are eflective when the valve element 34 is moved between its two positions to reverse the direction of fluid pressure in the cylinder 26. Specifically, when the solenoid T 35 is deenergized, as illustrated in FIG. 4, so that the yalve element 34 is to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, the passageway -34a.interconnects the ports 33a and 33b and -thepassageway 34b "interconnects'the ports 33c and 33d thereby applying fluid pressure to the left-hand end of the-cylinder 26 and exhausting the right-hand end thereof to the atmosphere. However, upon electrical energization of the solenoid 35, the armature;36,

is drawn into the solenoid and the valveelernerit 34 moves to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 against the return bias of the compression spring '37. In-this position the passageway 34c interconnects the port 33a with the port 33d and the passageway 34d interconnects the port 33c with the port 33b thereby applying fluid'pressureuto the right-hand side of the cylinder 26 and exhaustingthe"lett-hand side thereof to th e atmosphere.

In operatiomit will be understand that'with the hook 22 engaging the lifting pin-16 as illustrated in solid in FIG. 1, the pile driving hammer 10 may be lifted vertically between the leaders 1'4 and placed in position ontop of a pile. With the hammer '10 at rest ontop'of the pile be-'.

will fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 7

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patento'f the United Statesis:

A book block for use with a pile driving hammer of the type adapted for guided vertical movement, said hook blockcomprising'frame means for guided vertical movement with a pile driving hammer, pivoted hook means mounted .on said frame means for movement between a hammer engaging and hammer releasing position, sheave means carried by said frame for connection to hoisting means, a fluid cylinder pivoted to said frame, a piston in said cylinder 'operati-vely connected to said hook means for moving said hook means into one of said positions, fluid sup-ply means including a tank of pressurized fluid carried by said frame means, conduit means interconnecttween the leaders 14, the solenoid 35 may be energized as by a push-button inthe control cab of the crane which is effective to admit fluid under pressure t0 the right-hand side of the cylinder 26 and to pivot the hook 22fcounterclockwise to the position illustrated in phantom in FIG."1.

In this position the pile driving hammer 10 is free to ride ing said fluid supply means and said fluid cylinder, and solenoid operated control valve means in said conduit means for selectively controlling the admission of fluid to said nuid cylinder to selectively position said hook means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,816'10/83 Hiatt 173124 350,223 10/86 Von .der Wulbeike 29483 715,177 12/02 Thomas 173l24 1,165,098 12/;1-5 Herr 91459 1,306,966 6/19 Marcouxet a1. 91'- 459 1,383,252 6/21 Wearham 294-83 2,263,470 f l,l/4-1 Perkins. et a1. 91-.459 2,276,990 3/.42 Long 214,95 2,787,123 4/57 D'elvauxg 173,124 2,907,600 ,10/59 Lowery 294-83 2,955,576 10 /.60 Hamilton. 91-459 2,986,421 5/61 ,Grove 29.488 3,104,125 9/63 'Garlinghouse 294-88 X FORE GN PATENT 1,246,940 12/60 France. 7 375,255 4/ 33 Germany.

HUG O QLSCHULZ, Primary Examiner. ERNEST A. FALLER, MORRIS TEMIN, Examiners. 

